The Virtuous Concubine

How could Chen Xin not hear the hidden meaning behind Su Peisheng's words? Her face changed slightly and she secretly groaned in her heart, but she couldn't get angry.

He laughed dryly and tried to smooth things over: "Eunuch Su, what you said is wrong. It's time now. Let's not distinguish between your family and mine. The two princes are of the same blood and are suffering together. Our top priority is to find a way to help them so that they can suffer less and get through this disaster as soon as possible."

Su Peisheng nodded and snorted in his heart, but he still said politely: "Eunuch Chen is right, but it is difficult to come up with a comprehensive plan in such a hurry. How about you send someone to secretly inquire and see what the emperor's attitude is after Eunuch Liang reports to the emperor? Then we can have a clear idea and make a decision."

Chen Xin was about to open his mouth to say something else, but Su Peisheng seemed to be afraid that he would come up with another bad idea. He took the lead, raised his hand and patted his chest, and said along with Chen Xin's words: "As for me, I will go to find the Royal Concubine. The Royal Concubine has always been distressed by the Fourth Prince. Seeing that His Highness was punished to kneel, she was also anxious. When you get the news, I will ask the Royal Concubine to help say a few good words in front of the Emperor."

Chen Xin's eyes lit up. This was a good idea. Besides, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would definitely be happy to know that the Royal Concubine loved him, and it would be easier to persuade her then.

Although he didn't quite agree with Su Peisheng's words, he felt that Concubine De Zhao might love her own prince even more!

"Eunuch Su, this is a great idea! You have thought it through. The Imperial Concubine is very favored by the Emperor. If she is willing to intervene, then there might be a chance for this matter to turn around. How about this, without further delay, I will go and find out, and after I give you accurate information, we will go to Yonghe Palace together to ask Imperial Concubine Dezhao to help rescue the two princes."

After the two of them had discussed it, they immediately took action. In a few words, Chen Xin got the key information from Wei Zhu - the emperor was just waiting for a way out, and as long as he found a suitable excuse, he would probably let the crown prince and the fourth prince go.

Having received the confirmed news, Chen Xin did not dare to delay and turned around anxiously to find Su Peisheng.

At this time, Malu, who was in charge of the affairs of the six palaces, should actually make a righteous gesture and punish her son severely with her own hands, so as to show everyone that she was impartial. Otherwise, the death of the eighteenth prince of Concubine Mi might very likely implicate her.

As for the crown prince, she shouldn't interfere in such matters, so as to avoid giving people a chance to criticize her for being partial and overstepping her bounds.

The Fourth Prince thought so, Wen Xian thought so, and even Jingyi thought so. But she couldn't just ignore the Fourth Prince's life or death, otherwise the mother and son would be alienated, which would be even more fatal.

Malu knew her son's temperament too well. The Fourth Prince was calm and reserved, abided by the rules, and had a strong sense of self-esteem. If you sent someone to deliver something in a hurry, or ran to the emperor to plead for him without caring about anything, he would not appreciate it, but would think that you were impulsive and lacked consideration, which gave others a chance to talk about you and broke the rules; but if you pretended not to know and let it go, he would complain and mutter in his heart that you, his mother, were unkind and indifferent to him.

And with the prince around, Malu couldn't bear to do it.

But sending a meal is the best he can do. As for whether to plead for the two of them with all his strength in the future, we have to wait and see Kangxi's attitude.

Now Kangxi's heart is becoming more and more fragile day by day. If his reverse scale is touched, not only will it fail to save people, but it may also bring about greater disasters.

As soon as Malu heard that Chen Xin and Su Peisheng came to Yonghe Palace together, carrying empty food boxes, she didn't even need to go to the imperial court to inquire. She immediately understood that Kangxi had come to his senses and felt regretful. Perhaps he couldn't bear to blame the two princes anymore and intended to let them off the hook.

Before Chen Xin and Su Peisheng had the chance to tell Malu why they were there, they saw that Malu had already dressed up, with plain hairpins, plain clothes and no makeup. She said coldly that she was going to the Qianqing Palace now and that they could just put down the food box, and then she left, leaving Chen Xin and Su Peisheng looking at each other in a daze.

On the way, Bai Fu was still worried: "Madam, isn't your dress too plain? After all, you are the imperial concubine in charge of the six palaces. If you go out in such a plain dress, others will probably lose respect for you. Even if you add one or two pieces of jewelry that suit your status, you won't look too shabby."

In fact, Bai Fu was afraid that the sick Kangxi would think Malu was too plain and unlucky.

But Malu knew that at such times, she should not show her status, and should keep herself as low as possible in front of Kangxi. The simple clothes made her look virtuous and submissive, and also let Kangxi know that she had no intention of being presumptuous or arrogant.

With her hair covered in cold pearls and jadeite, those who didn't know would think she was going to force him to abdicate. Moreover, the Eighteenth Prince had just died, and if she were to dress in gorgeous clothes and look dazzling, Kangxi would surely be furious.

It is possible that if I dress up a little more, Kangxi will be unhappy.

Malu seemed to see through her thoughts. He slightly turned sideways, patted Bai Fu's hand, and said gently: "Don't worry, I know what to do." As he spoke, the group had already arrived in front of the Qianqing Palace.

When Wei Zhu, who was guarding the gate, saw Malu, he was stunned at first. He was obviously shocked by the overly plain outfit and almost didn't recognize him.

Being used to the imperial concubine's elegance and grace on weekdays, anyone would be dazed at first glance at her plain and simple appearance, thinking that it was a young concubine coming over.

He immediately came to his senses and hurriedly greeted: "Good luck to the Imperial Concubine."

Ma Lu nodded slightly and said softly, "Please inform Eunuch Wei that I want to see the emperor."

Wei Zhu took the order and left. After a while, she came out and replied, "Your Majesty, the Emperor invites you."

Inside the hall, Kangxi leaned against the dragon throne, his face still somewhat pale, his brows and eyes full of fatigue and haggardness.

Malu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. I wish you good health."

Kangxi did not exempt her from the formalities, but she stood up directly. Before Kangxi asked any questions, she spoke first: "Your Majesty cares about the world and has always been kind and generous. Looking back on the past, you have always given lenient punishments to ministers who made mistakes and were willing to repent."

As she spoke, Malu lowered her head and wiped her tears with a handkerchief: "Why are you so strict with the children and me? I have been in the palace for many years and have always been cautious and prudent. I have always abided by my duties and dared not overstep my bounds in the slightest."

"I have been wronged, but you are partial to Concubine Mi and don't help me get justice. I am old and ugly, and I am no longer favored. Only my children stand up for me, but you want them to kneel down as punishment. How can this be justified?"